News, reviews and articles about cars and car accessories.
Recently I had the opportunity to spend 4 hours test driving the new 2013 Ford Escape small SUV through Northern California’s wine country. Ford has come a long way since the first Ford I bought, a 1956 Fairlane. The Escape is quiet, solidly built, fuel efficient and loaded with tech and convenience features, none of which […]
2013 Ford Escape Test Drive Read More
For the past 2 weeks I’ve been lucky enough to test drive a new car. The first car was a 2012 Mazda Mazda 3 and this past week it was a KIA Rio EX 5-Door. I loved the KIA Optima I test drove last year, so I was excited to try the smaller, more economical Rio.
2012 KIA Rio EX 5-door Test Drive Read More
The Devium Dash is an interesting concept in car stereos. It’s a two component system that consists of a faceplate and a body. The body (shown above in Black) is installed in your dash in the spot where your current car stereo resides. It interfaces with your vehicle’s speakers. The faceplate connects to the body
Devium Dash – Turns Your iPhone Into an In Dash Stereo Read More
Is this the ultimate high tech baby capsule? The Carkoon is a child restraint seat made of Kevlar to protect from side impact. In the case of an accident, a Kevlar airbag deploys to protect the child from any flying debris. It also protects from smoke should there be a fire, and it has enough air
Keep Baby Safe with Carkoon Read More
Last week the same people that allowed me to test drive a 2011 KIA Optima SX Turbo last Fall, contacted me with an offer to do another 1 week test drive. I had a lot of fun with the KIA, so I was happy to accept their offer to take a look at a 2012
2012 Mazda Mazda3 i Grand Touring 4-Door Test Drive Read More
Earth Day (April 22) not only reminds us to think about our impact on the Earth, it also signals the beginning of the travel season, so it is only natural to think about how to vacation in a more eco-friendly manner. How about a way to use your car, SUV, or mini-van instead of a
SwissRoomBox – A mini-RV inside your car! Read More
The SoundFly VIEW Bluetooth FM Transmitter from Satechi is a car gadget for those of us that are not fortunate enough to own a Bluetooth enabled vehicle (like my 2006 Mazda 3). Here at The Gadgeteer, we’ve reviewed Bluetooth speakerphones before and we’ve reviewed FM transmitters. But I think this might be the first Bluetooth FM transmitter
Satechi SoundFly VIEW Bluetooth FM Transmitter Review Read More
It has been a relatively long time since I have reviewed a Bluetooth hands-free device. Washington State has been really cracking down on drivers talking on their cellphones while going down the road. It is now a primary offense, and you can be pulled over and ticketed for no other reason. As the story goes,
Jabra Journey Bluetooth Car Speaker Review Read More
My daughter has her learner’s permit now, and I’m really not relishing the idea of her being on the road by herself in the near future. The Tiwi Driver Mentoring Solution system could be just the thing she, or any beginning driver, needs to remind her of safe driving practices when an experienced driver isn’t
Help Your Child Become a Better Driver with the Tiwi Driver Mentoring Solution Read More
The smarter, more capable, and tech-gorgeous our devices get, the more power-hungry they become. Even though battery technology is becoming more and more efficient, most of us regularly find ourselves looking for places to plug in our smartphone or tablet while on the fly. The Highway from Just|Mobile is a stylish option for charging your
Just|Mobile Highway Review Read More
This post brought to you by Kia Rio. All opinions are 100% mine. It’s almost summer – time to drive around with the windows down, enjoying the warm weather and blasting your tunes. Kia Rio and Spotify have joined to help you create a soundtrack for your travels with their “Best Songs with your Windows
Kia Rio and Spotify Want to Know What’s Your Best Songs to Play With Your Windows Down? Read More
So you read our previous review of the LandAirSea SilverCloud GPS real-time tracking unit (see related posts at the bottom of this review), and you want something SMALLER and easier without the hassle of recharging batteries? Say hello to the Live Trac EZ from LiveViewGPS.
LiveViewGPS Live Trac EZ Real-Time GPS Vehicle Tracking Review Read More
I’ve been playing with several different kinds of GPS tracking devices for a while, including the nu.m8 GPS Child Locator Watch. The nu.m8 GPS tracking system used a GPS receiver to determine location, and would “report” it’s location when “pinged” via SMS or computer to give the latest position. So for the most part, it
LandAirSea SilverCloud Real-Time GPS Tracking System Review Read More
A few weeks ago, I and a good friend had the opportunity to test drive Lexus’ new 2013 GS sport sedan on the Las Vegas Speedway. In celebration of their very first Super Bowl commercial, Lexus flew us and approximately 40 others tech folks from around the country to Sin City to interact with their
The Lexus GS Super Bowl Event Trip Report Read More
I have reviewed some very cool and unusual devices, items and accessories here at the Gadgeteer. Everything from building lightsabers to lasers that can burn thru Legos to handmade leather bags from the far reaches of the Globe. But my latest assignment may be the most exciting and cool thing that I have done so
It’s Vegas Time, Baby… Read More
Extreme is right! The Monaco Extreme Charge Car Power Adapter, simply put, is the best money you’re going to spend for car charger. And you’re not going to spend that much. WirelessGround sent one of these chargers to The Gadgeteer for review, and you’ll find that their price of $14.95 isn’t going to break the
Monaco 3.1 AMP Extreme Charge Car Power Adapter Review Read More
Winter snows will soon be here for many parts of the country – assuming you haven’t been hit already. Keep the Auto Safety Kit and Sport Utility Shovel in your car’s trunk, and you’ll be ready for emergency snow removal if you get stuck somewhere away from home. The kit comes from L.L. Bean and
L. L. Bean Auto Safety Kits Read More
Plug the 45,000 Station Car Radio from Hammacher Schlemmer into your car’s 12V power outlet, connect it to your iPhone via Bluetooth, and you can stream any of 45,000 AM/FM and internet radio stations to an open FM station on your car’s radio. A free iPhone app streams the stations, including nationwide NPR stations as well
The 45,000 Station Car Radio Read More
A few days ago I was given the opportunity to review a 2011 KIA Optima SX Turbo. This is undoubtedly the biggest and most expensive “gadget” that I’ve ever been offered to review and you all know that I didn’t even have to think about it for more than a second before agreeing to a
2011 KIA Optima SX Turbo Test Drive Read More
Ford is set to introduce their MyKey – Do Not Disturb technology into their cars in 2012. This innovative system is a further attempt to reduce the accident rate involving teenagers. Parents can have a special MyKey for their teenagers which restricts a number of functions while their own key has none of the restrictions. The
Ford’s MyKey Do Not Disturb Technology Prevents Distracted Teenager Driving Read More